Sustainable Materials Management
Electronics Challenge
Tiers of Participation
The Environmental Protection Agency's SMM Electronics Challenge has a tiered structure (Bronze, Silver
and Gold) that contains increasingly comprehensive requirements. This structure reflects the need for
flexibility and recognizes that participants' business models, organizational sizes and levels of leadership
vary.
Participants may join at the level that best suits their organization, experience and abilities. The tiers
become progressively more comprehensive and the Silver and Gold tiers encompass the requirements
of each of the previous tiers. The Silver Tier contains one optional data element that is required of Gold
Tier participants. Definitions of key terms are provided on the last page of this document.
Overview
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Entry-level status designed for organizations without existing collection programs or with
nascent programs that are sending less than 50 percent by weight of the total amount of used
electronics collected from all streams for recycling or reuse to third-party certified recycling
vendors.
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Mid-level status designed for organizations with modest collection programs that are sending
50-95 percent by weight of the total amount of used electronics collected from all streams for
recycling or reuse to third-party certified recycling vendors.
Highest-level status designed for organizations with exemplary, well developed collection
programs that are sending 96 -100 percent by weight of the total amount of used electronics
collected from all streams for recycling and reuse to third-party certified recycling vendors,
and are going above and beyond third-party certification standards.
United Slates
Environmental Protection
Agency
www.epa.gov/smm
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Requirements for ALL Challenge Participants & Tiers
> Send 100 percent of used electronics collected from all collection streams (e.g., consumers and
business) to recyclers or refurbishers that have been certified to a recognized third-party1
certification program no later than the end of the third year of participation.
> Submit baseline data within 90 days of registration.
> Submit annual data, according to participation tier, to EPA.
> Post goals and data on the participant's website.
> Once the 100 percent to certified recyclers or refurbishers goal is met, increase the total amount
of used electronics collected for reuse and recycling.
> Share publically yearly goals for education and outreach on:
Efforts to communicate to and educate the public on the safe management of used
electronics through third-party certified recycling; and
Efforts to provide the public with specific, local collection opportunities that use third-party
certified recyclers.
> Provide for policies that favor recycling and reuse of electronic equipment and/or components,
over energy recovery, incineration, or land disposal.
1 For more information on accredited, independent third-part certification programs visit:
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/ecycling/certification.htm
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Additional Requirements for Each Tier
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Establish a permanent collection program for consumer and business equipment, if none
exists.
In the first year, increase the amount of used electronics sent to third-party certified
recyclers by a minimum of 10 percent.
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In the first year, increase the amount of used electronics sent to third-party certified
recyclers by a minimum of 5 percent.
Share publically any company policies or programs for vendors that go beyond third-party
certification standards and ensure that these policies are followed by each recycler used.
Require aJl recycling vendors used to fully account for your organization's used electronics
entering and leaving each facility, from first entry into the system to final disposition (e.g.,
mass balance or tracking throughput).
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Reach 100 percent of used electronics sent to third-party certified recyclers within one year
and maintain 100 percent thereafter.
Once the 100 percent to certified recyclers or refurbishers goal is met, increase the total
amount of used electronics collected for reuse and recycling, and the increase must include
increases in one or more states without take back laws.
Share publically any company policies or programs for vendors that go beyond third-party
certification standards and ensure that these policies are followed by each recycler used.
Require all recycling vendors used to fully account for your organization's used electronics
entering and leaving each facility, from first entry into the system to final disposition (e.g.,
mass balance or tracking throughput).
Conduct due diligence to ensure that the certified recycler of first entry into the system as
well as vendors receiving materials after the initial certified recycler (i.e., downstream
vendors) are also certified to an established third-party certification standard or are
examined by the participant's auditors at least semi-annually to ensure safe management
practices.
Note: Requirements only pertain to each particular tier.
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Reporting Requirements for ALL Challenge Participants & Tiers
> Total amount of used electronics collected for reuse and recycling from all streams.
> Total amount of used electronics sent to third-party certified recyclers from all streams.
> Percentage of total used electronics sent to third-party certified recyclers and refurbishers from
all streams.
> If the amount collected for recycling does not equal the amount sent to a 3rd party certified
recycler, please explain.
> Public education and outreach activities on safe management of used electronics and available
collection opportunities.
> Names of certified recycler(s) used and certification programs (provide entire list used
throughout the reporting period to EPA and it is optional to post and maintain the information
publically).
> List company policies that favor recycling and reuse of electronics equipment and/or
components, over energy recovery, incineration, or land disposal.
> Website where goals and data are posted.
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Additional Reporting Requirements for Each Tier
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No additional requirements.
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Additional Reporting Requirements for Each Tier
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Amount of used electronics collected from businesses and institutions.
Amount of used electronics collected from consumers.
Amount of used electronics collected from non-voluntary channels.
Amount of used electronics collected from voluntary channels.
Total amount of used electronics collected for reuse and recycling broken out by:
equipment; cell phones and other mobile devices; and accessories.
• For each State, provide the following data as it pertains to your organization's activities:
• Total amount of used electronics collected for reuse and recycling (includes
both certified and non-certified recyclers)
Percentage of the total amount of electronics collected for reuse and recycling
that is derived from an estimate, if applicable.
• Organization has permanent collection sites.
• Organization holds episodic collection events.
• Verify that all recycling vendors used by your company are required to fully account for
your organization's used electronics as they enter and leave each facility used (e.g.,
mass balance or tracking throughput). Provide EPA the methodology used for
verification and post it publically.
List company policies or programs for vendors that go beyond third-party certification
standards, and verify that the policies are followed by each recycler used.
• Verify that your company conducts due diligence to ensure that the certified recycler of
first entry into the system as well as vendors receiving materials after the initial
certified recycler (i.e., downstream vendors) are also certified to an established third-
party certification standard or are examined by the company's auditors at least semi-
annually to ensure safe management practices. Provide EPA the methodology used for
verification and post it publically.
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Definitions
Accessories: Defined as headphones, speakers, CDs, printers, toner cartridges, USB sticks, keyboards,
game system accessories, cables, chargers, and other small, miscellaneous items as defined by the
Participant. It further includes any other or new (future) types of accessories to either the equipment or
cell phone and other mobile devices equipment. The participant is welcome to provide a separate
breakout of any of the items listed as accessories.
All Streams: Denotes used electronics collected for recycling or reuse from the various return streams
used by the participant including: consumer take-back programs; asset recovery programs; retired lease
returns; collection events; trade-in programs; etc.
Businesses & Institutions: The amount of used electronics collected for recycling and/or reuse from
businesses and institutions, or from the management of the IT equipment associated with the
participant's own operations and/or off spec production waste.
Cell Phones & Other Mobile Devices: Defined as electronic equipment such as cell phones, personal
digital assistants (PDAs), organizers, tablets, e-readers, slates, smart phones, compact disc players,
gaming systems, calculators, MP3 devices. It also includes any other or new (future) types of equipment
that are designed primarily to store or convey information electronically and that are lightweight,
mobile in design, and have a 4-inch screen or less measured diagonally.
Consumers: The amount of used electronics collected for recycling and/or reuse from consumers at
collection sites, through episodic collection events, or through mail-back programs.
Due Diligence: Defined as processes to ensure that the certified recycler of first entry into the system as
well as vendors receiving materials after the initial certified recycler (i.e., downstream vendors) are also
certified to an established third-party certified standard or are examined by the participant's auditors at
least semi-annually to ensure safe management practices. Due diligence ensures that company policies
on the management of used electronics are followed by all vendors.
Episodic Collection Sites: Defined as collection points (including periodic public events such as Earth Day
or sporting events) that are available to consumers episodically and not on a permanent, year-round
basis.
Equipment: Defined as electronics equipment such as central processing units (CPUs), desktops,
laptops, televisions, printers, monitors, copiers, fax machines, scanners, imaging equipment, radios,
tablets, e-readers, slates, netbooks, and heavy equipment such as servers. It further includes any other
or new (future) types of equipment that are designed primarily to store or convey information
electronically and have a 4-inch screen or larger measured diagonally.
Non-Voluntary Channels: The amount of used electronics collected for recycling and reuse via
contractual activities, such as leasing transactions, warranty returns, or from the management of the IT
equipment associated with the participant's own operations.
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Permanent Collection Sites: Defined as collection points (including physical locations or mail-in
programs) where consumers have access to used electronics collection on a year-round basis.
Reuse: Denotes an electronics object, or component of an electronics object that is used again by a
different owner either for its original purpose or for a similar purpose, without significantly altering the
physical form of the object or material. The electronics object may be cleaned, repaired, or refurbished
between uses.
Third-Party Certified Recyclers: For the purposes of the SMM Electronics Challenge, the term "recycler"
denotes a refurbisher or recycler certified to a recognized third-party certified recycling program.
Similarly, the term "recycling" encompasses recycling, refurbishment and reuse. Currently, Responsible
Recycling Practices (R2) and e-Stewards are the only recognized certification standards for recyclers.
However, EPA may recognize additional standards at a later date.
Total Collected for Reuse and Recycling: The total amount of used electronics collected for reuse and
recycling, including the amount sent to certified and non-certified recyclers. It should equal the sum of
the amount collected from businesses and institutions and the amount collected from consumers.
Similarly, it also should equal the sum of the amount collected via non-voluntary channels and voluntary
channels.
Voluntary Channels: The amount of used electronics collected for recycling and reuse via non-
contractual activities, such as consumer collection events or take-back programs. This amount could
include both business and consumer data and electronics collected in association with State take back
laws.
jff ce of Resource Conservation and Recovery
EPA530-F-12-D11
August 2012
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